Simplified Direct Power Control for Grid Connected Multilevel Diode Clamped Converter

This article proposes a simplified direct power control (SDPC) based on a switching table (SWT) for a multilevel grid-connected diode-clamped converter (DCC). This work primarily aims to reduce the SWT size by one-sixth, thereby decreasing the required computational time. The proposed algorithm offers a simplification applicable to any direct power control algorithm designed for the DCC, regardless of SWT size or converter levels. Furthermore, the proposed approach ensures dc-side capacitor voltage balance in the converter by optimally selecting redundant states exclusively within the first sector. Experimental and real-time simulation results are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed SDPC method in reducing execution time while ensuring accurate regulation of both active and reactive power and maintaining balanced capacitor voltages.